David Coleman (Banks, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I am very pleased to address this motion in relation to 457 visas. The member for Perth is right to be concerned to ensure that the 457 visa program is always used in the manner for which it is intended. The need to ensure that is very clear. That is why the government has appointed John Azarias to conduct an inquiry into the operation of the 457 visa system. The role of 457 visas is to enable businesses to access workers from overseas only in situations in which that work cannot be obtained from local workers. That is how the system must always be run.

I think it is important to note that the 457 visa program substantially expanded under the previous government. I know the member for Perth was not here in the last parliament and, whilst I have no doubt her concerns are genuine, it is certainly the case that the 457 visa program expanded very substantially under the previous government. It went from 68,000 people who had 457 visas in 2010 and, by the time at which the previous government left office at the direction of the Australian people, there were 110,000 people who had 457 visas. Under the previous government, within a three-year period, there was actually a 62 per cent increase in the number of 457 visa holders—a very substantial increase. That is a very substantial increase.

It is also important to note that the rate of growth of 457 visas has slowed very substantially under the current government. In fact, between April last year and April this year, the growth in 457 visas was only one per cent—that is, around 110,000 people in both April 2013 and April 2014 held 457 visas. That demonstrates that the program is being managed in an effective and prudent fashion. As with all areas of policy, it is always appropriate to review their effectiveness, and that is what the Azarias review will do. It is due to report very soon, with the date of 30 June given for the report's approval.

It is important to reflect on where the 457 visa program is effective. There are circumstances in which it is not possible for jobs to be fully filled by local employees. The last thing that any of us want to see is an Australian business close down due to lack of labour. In those circumstances, it is appropriate to access that labour to ensure that the business can function. There was a 60 per cent increase in the number of people with 457 visas within a three-year period under the previous government. That is more than 20 per cent growth per year. That certainly suggests very strongly that the previous government was supportive of 457 visas and, indeed, very substantially expanded their operation. We will see in the Azarias review, when it shortly reports, the extent to which that expansion was in the best interests of the country.

It is also important in the context of this debate to talk about the importance of free trade. Free trade is good for local economies because, if we want to be able to sell our goods and services to foreign markets, we need to behave in a reciprocal manner with those nations. The minister for trade has done an exceptional job in securing free trade agreements on behalf of the nation. The Azarias report will have more to say on the 457 visa system shortly.

Debate adjourned.

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